Second man charged in Leominster diner fire

Saturday

Nov 30, 2013 at 6:00 AMNov 30, 2013 at 9:27 AM

By George Barnes, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

LEOMINSTER — A second man has been charged in a Nov. 13 fire that damaged the West End Diner.

Joseph J. Phillips, 45, was arraigned on a charge of arson of a dwelling Wednesday in Leominster District Court after being arrested by police investigating the Nov. 13 fire. He is due back in court Dec. 23.

The fire was the second in two months to damage the diner. Diner owner Jeffrey Cordio has also been charged in the fire. Both men were observed on video surveillance footage going into the building and later fleeing the scene of the fire.

Mr. Cordio was arrested Monday and charged with burning a building, arson of a dwelling house, witness intimidation and burning a building to defraud an insurer. He has been released on personal recognizance.

Police allege Mr. Phillips was with Mr. Cordio when the fire was set. Police reports filed with court documents indicate that Mr. Cordio told police that Mr. Phillips, whom he referred to as Joe the Plumber, set the fire using either matches or a cigarette.

Police identified Mr. Phillips from a backpack of his and his wallet found at different locations in the burned building. Police said Mr. Phillips was burned in setting the fire and Mr. Cordio urged him to go to a hospital. He did not at first, traveling to Boston before checking himself into a hospital.

Mr. Phillips is being held in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $250,000 with surety.